Traveling and visiting Japan is synonymous with coming across a lot to see and do. With millennia of history and thousands of other places and monuments, the country has so many attractions that it can be difficult to decide what to do there. To help you with that, here are seven things that are practically mandatory for your itinerary if you want to get to know Japan well. Follow Japan tours blog for more information.
Witness the hustle and bustle of Shibuya Crossing
One of Japan’s most iconic images is the chaos of when the pedestrian light turns green at Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing. Hundreds of locals and tourists cross at the same time what is known as the “busiest intersection in the world”. This is a great way to witness the hustle and bustle of Tokyo life.
Eat ramen
Visiting Japan and not eating ramen is the same thing as coming to USA and not trying a burger. There, you can find this typical food in several establishments, most of them with automated orders: you select the ingredients, press a button and soon your dish is served.
Travel on the Shinkansen
Japan was the first country to develop high-speed train travel between metropolitan areas, and the system improves every year. It is currently one of the most sophisticated and efficient in the world, in addition to being very clean. Trains run like clockwork and are rarely late. The seats are comfortable and the views are fascinating. If you are taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, sit on the right side so you can see Mount Fuji.
Singing in a karaoke
If you have always dreamed of being a pop star, this is your chance. When visiting Japan, you will understand why the country is known as the “land of karaoke”. The price to sing there is cheap and you can even rent a separate room if you do not want to perform in front of lots of strangers. Going to karaoke is a great idea if you come across a rainy day during your trip.
Visit the temples
A good way to connect with the country’s culture when visiting Japan is to appreciate the architecture and traditions of the temples there. The most famous of these is the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, which appears in the film Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). In town, the temple of Kyomizudera is also worth a visit. In addition to them, you can add Kinkaku-ji, also called the “Golden Pavilion”, and NanzenJi to your list.
Stroll through the bamboo forest
We usually think of trees full of leaves during the summer and spring and dry during the fall and winter. The Arashiyama bamboo forest in Kyoto, however, will change your perception. She is stunning any season of the year. It is a unique and refreshing experience to walk under rows and rows of bamboo stems.
Go to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
One of the best parts of visiting Japan is getting to know historical sites and getting a closer look at the events that defined the country’s trajectory. This park and the Peace Memorial commemorate the lives lost in the first atomic bombing at the end of World War II.
